Intel XeSS 2 SDK gets open-source release, Unreal Engine & Unity plugins also available
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Intel's Arc line of graphics cards might not have the same level of prestige that names such as Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon do, but they are still competitors in the market. And now, the appeal of these cards might be pushed thanks to the open-source release of the XeSS 2 software development kit.
XeSS is Intel's answer to AI-powered toolsets like Nvidia's DLSS or AMD's FSR. These tools are designed to improve the performance of games using AI-powered upscaling and frame-generation technology. XeSS 2 SDK is now open source and available via GitHub. The same was true of the new Unreal Engine plugin and the previously released Unity Engine plugin.
XeSS 2 gets a new SDK and plugins for developers
This means that developers from every part of the gaming industry, from tiny indie developers to massive AAA studios can take advantage of the XeSS toolset to improve their games on Intel Arc GPUs. In addition, developers can tweak the software to better suit their requirements, or produce new versions with updated or improved features.
- XeSS 2 SDK on GitHub
- Intel XeSS Plugin for Unreal Engine (GitHub)
- Intel XeSS Plugin for Unity Engine (Github or Unity Asset Store)
Some users have been able to take advantage of the ‘Runner-up' position of the Intel Arc to grab budget GPUs. Since Intel Arc is not subject to the same level of demand as the RX 9070 or RTX 5070 Ti has seen. As a result, users can find an Intel Arc GPU in stock for a reasonable price.
- GPU: BGM-G21
- Shading units: 2,560
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Bandwidth: 456GB/s
- Base/Boost clock speed: 2,670/2,740 MHz
However, one of the primary drawbacks of the Arc is its lack of game support compared to AMD Radeon or Nvidia GeForce. That has been improving over time, recently hitting a 200-game milestone. With the release of this open-source SDK for the latest XeSS 2 version, Intel is keeping up with its competition.
Intel still faces an uphill battle to match the night of AMD and Nvidia in the GPU arena. Embracing open-source software might be just the push it needs. Team Red has already been enjoying more market share off the back of its 9070 series launch, but Intel remains a solid choice for the entry-level market.
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